OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 244, 9 July 1919, Page 6

OBITUARY

ME, WILLIAM SMITH. The body of Mr. AViiliam Smith, head of the firm of Messrs. Smith and Smith, painters, decorators, etc., was found floating in the harbour adjacent to the Ferry Wharf yesterday afternoon, thus solving tho mystery of his disappearance. The late Mr. Smith was last seen alive and spoken to in tho Central Chib at about 5 p.m. on Saturday week last, when he was heilrd to say that ho was leaving to catch a boat for Day's Buy, where the family has been residing for somo six months. It was feared that the deceased, who was not in good health, had accidentally stumbled off the wharf into tho harbour in tho dark, a theory that was, in tho light of yesterday's discovery, probably correct. An inquest will be held at I p.m.- to-day. Tho late Mr. Smith was a member or an old and well-respected Dunedin family, of which the sons have followed their fathers in control of a growing business. With his two brothers, Mr. William Smith was responsible for a considerable expansion of the business and its extension to the North Island. Then, on the death of his brothers (one of whom, Mr. Harry Smith, was one of the finest light baritones New Zealand Im3 produced), the business becamo centred in Mr. William Smith, of Wellington, and naturally ho has had to face a good deal of worry in connection with war business troubles and anxieties. Aibeit he was of a genial and kindly nature, a good friend and companion, and a gentleman of artistic taste and inclination. Ho was passionately fond of music, and was a member of tho' committee of the Wellington Savage Club and Wellington Operatic Society at various times. The deceased spent the greater part of his life in Dunedin, where bo was even better known than in Wellington. Since Mr. Smith's disappearance the family have returned to their town house on Wellington Terrace. The deceased leaves a widow, three daughters (Mrs. Dr. M'Killop, of Nelson, and Misses lliml and Jean Smith) and one eon, Mr. Alau Smith. ,